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zapper

zapper

9 7.0
A small electric device that kills insects like flies and mosquitoes with a shock
  • noun
  • /ˈzæpər/
  • NSFW
translation icon : electrocutador
  • He set up a bug zapper in the backyard to keep mosquitoes away during our outdoor party.
  • bug zapper
  • electric zapper
  • mosquito zapper

Like they slice that shit off and then they cauterized it with a fucking little zapper.

Examples

  • Behind us, the bug zapper was working overtime: I can still hear the pop and sizzle of bugs getting fried.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • After a long summer evening, the bug zapper had cleared out the annoying flies around the porch.

  • It's not fair to use a bug zapper to catch the fish.

  • Next to the sign is a giant blue bug zapper.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • I've said for years we should have a bug zapper here.

  • From down the road came the harsh electric sounds of a bug zapper instantaneously frying its victims.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • The bug zapper emitted a loud noise as it shocked the insects that flew into it.

How Effective

zapper
  • NSFW
9 7.0
swatter
7 2.0
flypaper
4 4.3

Surface Forms

zapper singular
zappers plural

Morphology

zapper = zap (transparent) = zap + er

Agentive '-er' added to the verb 'zap' yields a device or person that performs the action; meaning is directly derivable.

Etymology

The word zapper comes from the short sound word zap, a quick noise that means an electric shock, and the ending -er means 'something that does' the action. So a zapper is a thing that 'zaps' insects, that is, it 'gives a quick electric shock' to kill or scare them.